Thad Thad Thad Thad.. a sudden shout of rain on usually a dry September afternoon on the mountains of Meghalaya. 2 cars, an Innova and a Wagon-R, travelling from Shillong to Cherrapunji by road took a halt at a road side small eatery when their destinies met.
Hello, I am Abhay from Gujarat, a man who is in his 20's said to middle aged man who is somewhere in his late 40's, and there comes a voice from behind the elder man, his wife, greeting Abhay and his wife in Gujarati. Ame pan Gujarat thi, tame kyaa na? (We too are Guajarati’s, where exactly are you from?) asked Parvati, the older man's wife travelling in a Wagon-R car. The conversations slowly started building up as the rain gods started pouring the water.
Shouldn't we keep moving? I think rain will not stop in this region, exclaimed Bharat, the man in his late 40's. Everybody gathered their food items, filled up their water bottles and thermos (with tea), and started their journey. Abhay, being a newly married couple and a young blood, zoomed his Innova and raced away in minutes, cutting through the rains, and travelling at the speed of light. Meanwhile Bharat, Parvati and their 12 years old son, Raj praying for Abhay and Swati's (Abhay's wife) safety, in a hope of rains to stop for a while till they reach.
23kms later, 50mins into the journey, Raj saw an Innova parked by the side of a road and instantly asked his father of it, who without a second thought had a look at it.
Bharat: Abhay, is it you?
Abhay: Yes sir, it’s we.. our car broke down and seems like we will not find any help at this hour.
Bharat: Don't worry son, we will find a way out.
Abhay and Bharat started to look for the problem while Swati and Parvati trying to look for some help around. 20mins into this, the skies turned dark, winds shifted the gears, the thad thad of rain is now frightening them.
Parvati: Why don't you shift to our car? We can anyhow manage and reach the destination (which is still one and a half hour away).
Abhay: Thank you, but we have a rental car which we cannot park anywhere. I think you should leave and send in some help. And may be Swati can come with you.
Bharat: I have been to Cherrapunji earlier, I am sure nobody will be available to help at this hour and even if we find someone, it will take ages to reach.
Meanwhile Swati: No I will stay back with you.
It was tough for Abhay to understand the brief murmuring between Bharat and Parvati, but in a while, they have decided to spend the night in the car with Abhay and Swati. There are obviously some chatter happening between Abhay and Bharat, but Parvati interrupts with "If we leave, it is not good on our part on human grounds, but you can take it in a way that Bharat already have some challenges in driving at night, and these rains can even kill us".
The moment is awkward but Raj chips in with, I am hungry Abhay Uncle, please give me that chips that Swati aunty made. The mojo is swiftly changing, and they are becoming comfortable in the toughest of the situations. But worst was still to come.
At 6:00 PM, it has turned dark, with no passing vehicles on road. By now, it is absolutely a downpour, with water all around, with the light of thunderstorm being the only source of visibility. Abhay and Bharat somehow managed to park cars besides each other, with roof lights on and never-ending relations between two families slowly building up.
Swati and Parvati are busy discussing their marriage time excitement while Abhay and Bharat blaming the government in not developing this part, Raj being playful is taking this as an adventure and simply loving the rains.
Its half passed 7 in the eve and they are tired. They have nearly exhausted their food and are nearly out of water.
Swati: We should refrain from talking much, it will drain us and will be difficult for us to pass the night.
An awkward silence follows with each one concerned, looking into each other’s eyes, finding a hope. They have started feeling low and are little comprehensive. Raj is still playful.
THAKK THAKK!! THAKK THAKK!!
Sound from a rear window of Wagon-R with only thing you can see outside is small light. Raj and Swati sitting on the side are visibly afraid while Abhay is panicked. He pulled off his door to face the fate, but hey, Wait! Isn't that a human? Light is pulled a little closed to the face of the man and he exclaimed: Are you stuck?
Abhay not knowing what to expect, replied: No, we are just enjoying Rain, get away from my car.
Man: Ok sir, I just wanted to help
Abhay: Help and you? Not at all
Bharat, after joining them: What help? What are you talking about!!
Man: I am Ravindra, a farmer staying in the hut below the slope, I was observing the cars since long and I think you will be hungry.
(Abhay Confused)
Bharat: Yes, Ravindra ji, go on
Ravindra: I am poor, I do not have place to keep my wife and children, but I have some wheat flour and vegetables. If you know how to cook, you can use my place.
The mood turns around, with rains still pouring in hard and with constant velocity, there is this hope that the families needed. Parvati jumps in from the window and asked about how to reach Ravindra's place?
Abhay, Swati and Parvati move across the road while Bharat and Raj taking guard of the cars.
Ravindra's place, a messy, 6X4 sized hut with plastic cover as roof and side windows, blowing and making a typical noise because of the fast blowing wind, located at some 50 steps into a farm, with insects chirping. Swati is relatively scared, while Parvati being little unsure of Ravindra's intentions, with Abhay being a strongly built individual, they made their way into the hut.
Ravindra: This is all what I have got, some wheat flour, and kg or two of vegetables and some milk. He gave it all.
Just outside the hut, there were two big pots filled with drinking water which Ravindra himself drank to give them the trust.
Ravindra: Sir, the water is pure, I know you are not sure about by intent, but believe me, I just want to help. I am stepping aside and will be there below the tree, there are no insects or snakes around. This is your home.
And he moved away. Abhay is now much relaxed. Swati and Parvati made some food, for themselves and for the man who was here to save lives. They invited the man to the car and had their dinner together.
Families thanked the man who accompanied them till late in the night telling stories of his struggles, though very proudly.
At 1:30AM, Swati, Parvati and Raj is deep asleep, Bharat already taking half naps, Ravindra bid goodbye, who has been rewarded some handful of money for his gesture by the families.
They slept for the night inside the uncomfortable car, with thoughts about how tough a farmer's life is and yet how positive and helpful he was. It was a lesson learnt for everybody, an inspiring story and a lifelong motivational factor, which gave them a comfortable sleep that night.
Few hours later, in the morning, with first rays of sun, Bharat started his journey with his family looking around for help. Soon they came across a small petrol/diesel dealer with a driver sleeping by it. Bharat explained the story and they readily travelled with them to where Abhay was, solved the spark plug issue by giving it a temporary fix.
Both families, while making their way to their vacation destination, looked by the other side of the road, silently thanking the farmer who can be seen at a distance ploughing the field with a smile.
The journey though was adventurous, had so much to teach about the way of looking at the life, positively and honestly.
"We cross paths with so many of people during our lives, but there are few who makes a special place in our hearts, Bharat and family was special for Abhay, while Ravindra ji, the saviour, became immortal in their hearts."
Be Human, Stay Positive and Keep doing the Good.
